Aziz Damani-Masaka SS and Olila High School Cricket Clubs continued to enjoy fine form in the Mehta Women’s Twenty20 Premier League round-robin phase with flawless victories on Saturday.

Leaders Damani added to their 169-point tally with eight-wicket and 79-run victories over KICC in Entebbe. And holders Olila found it pretty against old guard Wanderers, winning 169 and 125 runs in the morning and afternoon encounters at the University Oval in Kyambogo.

Damani and Olila were separated by nine points after six matches heading into Saturday’s duels. And their commanding displays imply they will be the top seeds come the semi-finals.

For Damani, experienced Kenyan Margaret Banja was the star of the morning win thanks to her 14-ball 19 that ably got her side meet KICC’s 48-run target in 6.2 overs.

But UK-bound Immaculate Nakisuyi took charge of the afternoon with standout bowling figures of 4/12 in her four-over spell as they stopped KICC at 67-9 in pursuit of Damani’s 146-8.

That figure piled up courtesy of Irene Alumo (42 off 45) and Consy Aweko (26* off 17).For holders Olila, Wanderers barely put up a challenge in all departments.“We had little to do for the wins,” Olila’s Racheal Ntono said.

In the morning, Joyce Mary Apio (55 off 26) and Janet Mbabazi (52 off 41) secures half-tons as Olila set 189-5. In response, Wanderers was bowled out for a paltry 20 runs in 10 overs with Apio (4/2 in 4 overs) and Kevin Amuge (3/14 in 4 overs) bowling for fun.

Mbabazi would against make 69 off 65, helping Olila to 171-5 but her former club withered at 46 all-out in 14 overs.

Victory. Leaders Damani added to their 169-point tally with eight-wicket and 79-run victories over KICC in Entebbe. And holders Olila found it pretty against old guard Wanderers, winning 169 and 125 runs in the morning and afternoon encounters at the University Oval in Kyambogo.

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Cricket Cranes’ bid to lift the ICC World Cricket League Division Three trophy received a shot in the arm following the unveiling, by Mehta Group, of a sponsorship package worth Shs45 million.

The deal, signed at the weekend in Lugazi, will cater for among others players’ allowances, team bonuses and team kit for the upcoming six-team showpiece scheduled to bowl off next Tuesday (May 23).

According to Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) CEO Justine Ligyalingi, the partnership with Mehta began in 2012 and is only being revived.

“Mehta has been supporting cricket activities in the country with sponsorship to teams such as Nile Knights in the East African Premier League as well as the Women’s T20 League.

“Today, however, is special and we would like to thank Mehta for the financial support towards the men’s team for this upcoming event,” Ligyalingi said after appending his signature to the deal along with UCA chairman Bashir Ansasiira and Mehta Group CEO Anil Shah.

Although the deal will cater for the men’s national team, Shah promised to extend financial help to the ladies’ team as well. “Our commitment towards cricket development is unquestionable. This is just the beginning. Next will be the ladies,” Shah said, before urging the players to give their all during the 10-day event.

Uganda open their campaign against Canada at Lugogo Oval on May 23 and team captain Davis Karashani believes they have got what it takes to move a division up.

“The mood in the camp is positive. We have a great physio (Habiba) and she is working hard to ensure all the niggles are gone ahead of our opener. The squad is also littered with players of quality and I am positive they will make the country proud,” Karashani said.

Oman is expected to be the first country to jet in on Thursday with the rest USA, Canada, Oman, Malaysia and Singapore arriving on Saturday and Sunday. UCA will unveil the new team jersey tomorrow.

Regular season form will count for nothing today when the four finest sides in the Nanji Kalidas Mehta Memorial Tournament lock horns for the big prize at Lugogo Cricket Oval.Afridi XI are overwhelming favourites after topping the charts with 24 points after a flawless record from their six round-robin phase fixtures.But for them to carry the day’s glittering trophy and Shs3m cash prize at stake, they will need their star man Irfan Khan Afridi and Lady Luck on their side as every side is itching to soil their record.They take on a Keshwala side, who finished second with 16 points, that is not short of firepower and lively wires in the ranks.KICC will curtain raise the day with a clash against MMK. Both sides finished the preliminary round with 12 points. But KICC captain Hanumant Katkar believes his side has a chance of making it to the finals. “We have a long route to victory,” said Katkar. “But we are going to take it one game at a time. We need three wins on the day.” Damani, Cosmas and MTN are the other sides that took part in the tourney.

The Mehta Premier League 2015 edition comes to an end this weekend at Lugogo and Kyambogo ovals. Jinja SS the defending champions, Pioneer CC, Wanderers CC and Charity TF CC shall tussle it out in the semifinal and later to final stages after successfully progressing from the preliminary games.

The coveted championship competed for in the T20 format shall see Jinja SS CC coming out to defend the trophy for the second year in a raw, having won one of its 2 games against Pioneer CC on Sunday at Lugogo oval a good level of confidence has grown in the Jinja based team. Pioneer CC is optimistic as well as they will come out this weekend with open hands in search of a second trophy in the 2015 season having won the UCA 40 over League a month back.

Wanderers CC are in good shape to compete this year with the 2 time winners Charity TF CC getting better day by day. A closing ceremony will be held at Lugogo oval at 4:30 pm after the finals.

The event will be attended by dignitaries from Mehta Company the sponsors and members of the fraternity.

Habibu Mugalula was a militaristic cricketer in his hey-day. Always steaming in from 30 yards with the new ball and an even more eye-catching sight with the bat as he scampered for quick tight singles.It is the same attitude with which Mugalula played that he initiated when he started a new career as cricket coach in 2012 at Jinja Secondary School.

His students had to learn fast, and they did. There was no two ways! But over the past one-month (37 days to be exact), things have been slow in the 34-year-old’s life.A hit and run accident left him crippled on September 10 in Jinja. The soft-spoken tactician’s pelvic girdle was broken and he underwent an operation to have a plate inserted to hold his pelvic bones together.But Mugalula threw away the clutches for the first time and regained his mojo, albeit temporarily last Sunday, when Jinja SS girls pulled off a heist to win the Mehta National Twenty20 League.The bubbly teenagers defeated favourites Charity by five wickets in a low-scoring semifinal at Kyambogo Oval before toppling Wanderers by the same margin in a nail-biting final at Lugogo.

“We played well today and we dedicate this victory to our coach [Mugalula],” Jinja SS captain of the day Rachael Ntono was quick to say soon after the over-the-top celebrations.“We didn’t play well when he was away and we were hungry to win it for him as a welcome back gift. We are very excited and there will be a big party at school.” Mugalula, who was bed-ridden for a week in Mulago Hospital after being transferred from Jinja Hospital, also credited the girls for possessing big-match temperaments and playing with pure passion.“Their love for the game is incomparable and they know how to execute game plans. “That’s what happens when they listen,” said Mugalula, who is coincidentally an alumnus of Jinja SS.The youthful coach nicknamed Mugi spared a vote of thanks for Jinja SS head teacher Dinah Hope Tuhumwire Nyago, Uganda Cricket Association, fellow teachers Samuel Musiho and Yusuf Nanga, student Aloysius Odoi and his wife Faith Neema, who have spent both their time and money to ensure he gets back on the road running as before like a well-oiled machine.

Defending champions Charity Trust Fund Cricket Club will have to battle Jinja Senior Secondary girls cricket club in the semi finals before they play a final match as Mehta Premier League (Women's Twenty/20) 2014 Cricketing season comes to an end this Sunday.

It will be a busy Sunday for the Uganda Cricket Association women cricket with three competitive matches. Earlier in the day the girls will engage each other in the semis which will be played in the morning at both Kyambogo and Lugogo grounds.

Winners of the semi will face each other in an epic final at Lugogo cricket oval to decide the overall winner of the season. The first semi-final will be played between Tornado Cricket club and Wanderers Cricket Club at Lugogo Oval starting 10:00am.

The other semi final at Kyambogo will see reigning champions Charity Trust Fund CC taking upcountry based club-Jinja Senior Secondary School Cricket Club.

The finals will be played at 2:30pm at the national cricket facility-Lugogo Cricket Oval. The closing ceremony of Mehta Premier League shall take place on the same day immediately after the finals.